HMS Counselors

The mission of the Harlem Middle School Counseling Program is to promote growth of all students by providing opportunities to acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes through academic, career, and social-emotional development. School counselors are professional advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement in order to meet real world, 21st century needs.

To request to see your counselor, find your Assigned Counselor to the left and click on the "Counselor Sign Up" link on their page.

HARLEM MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP OUR CHILDREN FIND SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE BY:

•  Helping develop positive attitudes among students toward self, family and community.

• Counseling with students individually and in groups to understand and appreciate their unique qualities, helping them to grow personally and socially.

• Supporting students and developing an individual plan for academic success.

• Developing and delivering classroom guidance lessons that teach skills such as making healthy decisions, resolving conflicts, and respecting others.

• Assisting students to become invested in their school success by showing them how school performance relates to career opportunities.

• Working collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to identify and remove barriers that may impede student achievement.

• Assisting students to develop personal awareness and explore career goals.

• Helping develop communication and interpersonal skills needed to relate well to others.

• Providing a comprehensive and developmental guidance and counseling program that impacts ALL students. Our program is based on the National Counseling Standards with focus on Academic, Social/Personal, and Career Development.

HOW TO ENSURE SUCCESS FOR YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT

• Stay involved, stay involved, stay involved in your student's school experience. Some opportunities include: Back to School Night, Parent Conferences are scheduled in Fall and Spring (in addition to any time throughout the school year), Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), District-wide parent workshops.

• Make learning part of everyday life!

• Encourage curiousity, problem-solving and independent thinking in your child.

• Become "positive coaches" when helping your student with schoolwork.

• Have high but realistic expectations for your student's success.

• Model lifelong learning and the value of education.

• Support the school's discipline policy.

• Understand your child's learning styles and how to develop and strengthen them.

• Encourage positive behavior with your child.

• Encourage language development through reading, talking and listening.

• Realize there is NO subsitute for attendance in school and limit the amount of time you take your child out of school.

• Put the computer in a common space, monitor your child's internet activity, and discuss internet safety.

• Make school a top priority. Nothing is more important to your child's future than their education!

• If you are concerned about your child's academic performance or social/emotional well-being, talk to your child's counselor. Our school counselors are an excellent resource for parents, as well as for students.